To Be Or Not To Be

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.”  This best known quotation is probably the most famous line in world literature, from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, written about 1600.  I am not sure if it was referencing life vs. death, or thoughts of suicide, but I want to borrow its essence for this writing.

Though people possess fame and fortune, or power with position, these things alone cannot bring lasting happiness, nor do they negate the need of a personal Savior in one’s life.  They are dead in the eyes of God if they have rejected His Son Jesus.  To be a Christian or not to be is a choice.

The bums on skid row, drug addicts, and alcohol abusers in low, middle, and upper class families need Jesus Christ as much as self righteous individuals that try to do things in their own strength without the help of Almighty God.  Everyone needs God no matter what their station in life may be.

Any habit or crutch that people lean upon other than God, believing these things can give purpose to life; find that they are just mirages of the real thing that is needed to bring perfect peace—the real thing being Jesus Christ.  All habits and crutches are hopeless, dead end paths to nowhere.  They are nothing more than crumbling elusions of unfulfilled longings for something tangible to count on when trouble knocks at the door.

No-one is self sufficient or self sustaining in their own ability, even though material gain provides them with temporary satisfaction for the moment.  These superficial highs soon plummet to the ground, giving way for despair to claim another victory. 

Money, status, possessions, and other temporary fixes that a person introduces into their life, trying to find happiness, are in vain.  Fixes lack the substance and means for finding solutions to what’s missing in a lonely heart.  Only Jesus and a spiritual awakening, known as the born-again experience, can satisfy the hungering soul.

There is always something missing in the heart of those that believe possessions bring contentment.  Positive thinking, rather than positive faith in God is another falsehood that people lean upon in their futile attempt to find fulfillment.  These souls will face their demons of misgivings one day if they refuse to accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Inside every person is a void that only God can fill to its full capacity.  It was placed there by Him.  Nothing in this world can fill this God-shaped emptiness except the Spirit of God.  It’s not until the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make their abode in a person’s soul that emptiness goes away.  Though people try to fill this void with things in hope of finding satisfaction, they discover that their efforts have failed.  Satisfaction has once again eluded them. 

Nothing satisfies the longing of the soul like Jesus.  When all else fails the Lord is waiting patiently to give life more zest.  He is the answer for any soul that is filled with questions.

To be or not to be a Christian depends upon the individual.  The choice is theirs to make.  When a person decides to give Jesus authority over their life, true contentment and satisfaction is found.  As they stop trying to figure out what brings happiness, and finally gives their life to God, it is at that precise moment the search for fulfillment is over.

(John 10:9), “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

(John 10:1), “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

(John 14:6), “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

(Isaiah 64:6), “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

(2 Timothy 1:9), “…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”

A person can be in the family of God by asking God to forgive them of their sins.  Simply inviting Jesus Christ into their heart is all that it takes to be saved. 

Be free not bound.

Be forgiven not sinful.

Be whole not broken.

Be God’s not the devils.

Be joyful not sad.

To be is the answer to the question.  It is life and gain in every respect.  Not to be is forever searching for the To be.  To be or not to be; the answer remains, To be.

Written by,

Papa Boyd